Separable connector



Marchl7, 1959 E. c. ELsNER v 2,877,529

SEPARABLE CONNECTOR -Fned June 1o, 1957 IN VEN TOR. ED W/N C. EL SNE/e ATTORNEY United :States Patent s claims. (ci. 24-265) This invention relates to a connector for the' end of a strap, web or rope, or the like.

The invention is particularly characterized by simpl1city'and low cost of manufacture, and it is an object of thev invention to provide a separable connector that comprises three simple elements that are connected onlyby a strap, web or rope and which' interact to form a positive connector when said strap, web or rope is under tension, and yet may be readily manipulated for separation from an anchor member to which connected. i

'Y Another object of the invention is to provide a connector strung on the loop of a strap, web or rope and comprised of three interdependent, but separate and simple, elements in side-by-side relation, which, when the strap, web or rope is under tension,I has firm and positive connection with an anchor member web or rope vis slacked off, is adapted for easymanipula# tion to effect separation from said anchor member.

' The invention also has for its objects to provide such embodiments of the present invention, which Aare given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a separable connector according to the present invention, the same being connected to an anchor member which is shown in crosssection.

Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof with the anchor member in longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a similar view being defined between slot-defining lips 10. It will be understood that wall 7 is preferably of metal or other material capable of withstanding considerable pull or stress in a direction away from the base wall 6.

and, when the strap,A

with a'v closed loop. The

will be` understood that the by engagement with the member 5,

v to the lips 10 of the slot 9.

Webbing made of some yof the stronger but softer and more pliable synthetic libres, such as nylon, is preferred to enable deforming the loop 12 to various shapes. It strap 11 may comprise a cord or rope and that the term strap, as hereinafter used, is intended to include webbing, cord, rope, and similar exible elongated members.

The loop 12 carries the present connector 14 which, 11 to the wall 6.

The connector 14,

middle element 15 and two similar anking elements 16,

the same being arranged in side-by-side relationship and` having an overall thickness somewhat less than the widthy of the slot 9. In practice, the middle element 15 is sub-` stantially thicker than the elements 16 and it will be` i 15 serves as a spacer that so sepa-4 close adjacency evident that element rates elements 16 as to bring them into Element`15 is provided with a slot 17 and elements 16 each with a slot 18 ythrough which the loop l2 passes, thereby retaining said elements in the mentioned side-byside relationship. In other words, said loop 12 conments of the connector 14. In practice, the slot 17 is wider than are the slots 18, the same being particularly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Element 15 is provided with an extension 19 `of a length to freely enter between the ends ,of slot 9, said in which slot 17 is formed and which slot 17 is wider .than the length of extension element 15 having a body 20 19. The opposite ends of said body are formed to have finger-gripping portions 15 between the elements 16, being substantially greater than the width of It will be clear, therefore, with" strap 11 under tension,

as in Fig. 2, that elements 15 and 16 are held in the mentioned side-by-side arrange- A winging movement of such element 16 is involved and the same may be accomplished only if the loop 12 is so slack as to be capable of being spread as in Fig. 4. With one element 16 so withdrawn, the other two elements of the connector will readily fall 9. Reestablishthe above manner regardless of the degree of length of the elements 15 and 16 and whether the strap 11 is a rope or other such member.

As shown in Fig. 5, an ecient connector may cornpnse only the elements 16. Since the loop 12 is deform- 4Patented Mar. 1 7, 19597,'

strap is preferably ymade of4 pliable material of which woven webbing is exemplary.`

connects the strap shown in Figs. 1-4, comprises a common connecting means for the three ele- V 21 that minimize linger slippage' the best modes of carrying.

of course,y subject to modilication without departing from the spirit and.

scope of the invention. It is, therefore, not desired to restrict the invention to the particular forms of construction illustrated and described, but to cover all modi-n fications that may fall within the 'scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and-` desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A connector adaptedl to fit into an opening of an anchor member and'` carriedV bythe end ofa strap, the latter being provided with a deformable end loop, said connector comprising three separate elements strung on said loop and having a total thickness less than the width ofi said opening, the middle element constituting a spacer forv the other two elements', said two elements each being provided with a ange part and said parts beingVV oppositely and outwardly directed to deline a total dimension that' is greater than the Width ofk the opening, where-- by, with thethree elements of the connector inserted' into the opening, the mentioned ilanges are directed to engage against' opening defining lips of the anchor member upon tension being placed on the strap in a direction away from the anchor member.

2. A connector according to claim l in which the spacer element is substantially thicker than the angeprovided elements and is formed with" an extension for insertion in saidY opening and a slot through which the strap loop' is passed, saiclv slot being substantially wider than the length of said extension and the spacer element being' movable relative to tion to'withdraw the same from the opening in the anchor member during deformation of Ythe strap loop and whilev the mentioned flanges are engaged with the mentioned opening-defining lips.

3; A connector according to claim 2 in which the spacer element is longer than the other elements and the opposite ends thereof constituting finger-engaging portions enabling the mentioned'withdrawing movement of -the spacer element.

has illustrated and described what the other elements in a direcy alsmaar;

4. A connector adapted to tit into an opening of an anchor memberV and carried by the end of a strap, the latter being provided with a deformable end loop, said connector comprising three separate elements strung on said loop and having a total thickness less than the width of said opening, the middle element constituting a spacer for the other two elementsfsaidtwo elements each be ing provided with a angej part and said parts being oppositely and outwardly directed to define a total dimen sioni that' is greaterf than-thc width of the opening, the loop engaging the' ilang'ehprov-ided' elements and'y being directed toward the spacer element' when tension is. imposed onlthe strap,-` whereby; with the three elements of the connector inserted into the opening, the mentioned ilanges are directed toengage against opening-defining lips of the anchor member upon tension being placed on the strap in a direction away from the anchor member.

5. A connector. adapted to tit into anl opening on an anchor member and carried latter being provided with a deformable end loop, said connector'comprising threeelements strungon said loop' less than the-width ofV said(f and having atotal thiclness. opening, the middle element. constitutingl a spacer for v the other two elements, saidtwo elements each being provided with a ange part and saidparts being oppositely,

and outwardly directed to define a total dimension that is greater than the: width of the opening, the loopengaging the flange-provided elements andbeing directed vingv placed on the strap in a.

towardl the spacer the strap, the three elements being provided with slots through which said loop is passed, the slotin theV spacer element being wider than the other two to enable relative movement 'of' the. spacer elementjwith respect toy the {lange-providedv elements whereby with the4 three elements of' the connector` inserted into the opening, the mentioned' flanges are. directed to engage against opening-defining lips of the anchor member upon tension bedirection away from the anchor member.

References Cited in the tile of thisr` patent UNITED STATES PATENTSv by the end of a-strip,the`` element when tension is imposed on, 

